OUR VIEW: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Saturday

Sep 28, 2013 at 12:01 AMSep 28, 2013 at 4:11 PM

From the pages of the O-D

UGLY

It’s ugly enough. But flushing the wrong stuff down the toilet makes it even worse when it comes to keeping sewer pipes clear — and a campaign launched out west could be good advice back east — or anywhere in the country, including the Mohawk Valley.

Specifically, the campaign takes aim at wipes, but it mentions other products, too, that can cause clogs if flushed. Many products that claim to be flushable aren’t treatable in wastewater systems and can cause major issues. Among items that don’t belong in the toilet are cleaning rags, paper towels, diapers and wipes, feminine hygiene products, condoms, dental floss, medical bandages, tubing and pads. Even facial tissues can be troublesome.

Steven Devan, commissioner for the Oneida County Department of Water Quality & Water Pollution Control, said the county pipes are large and not likely to be clogged by wipes and such, but smaller systems in the area have had problems in the past. Devan recommends never flushing the aforementioned items, as well as pharmaceuticals, which could end up in the water supply.

Perhaps best to remember is a public awareness campaign by the Orange County Sanitation District in California called “What 2 Flush”. Its message is that the toilet is meant only for the three Ps — pee, poop and toilet paper.

GOOD

The first week with the Utica Comets in their new home at the Aud is adding to the downtown energy as the team prepares for its Oct. 23 home opener. And head coach Travis Green isn’t letting the Comets’ 5-2 exhibition loss to the Abbotsford Heat last Sunday get in the way. Nor should the fans.

Green is no stranger to the Aud. He was with the Capital District Islanders when Utica’s previous AHL team, the Devils, were in the league. And he remembers the fans well.

“It was an intimidating building to come into,” Green said in an interview this past week.

Not any more — at least not for Green. Now those fans will be on his side, and there will be plenty of reasons for them to be fired up when the Comets take to the ice later next month. The team will be welcomed in style that day when it and Galaxy Communications host a fan fest before the game that will take place outside along Whitesboro Street across from the Aud. It’s free and open to the public.

In addition, NHL Hall of Famer Gordie Howe, the Hanson brothers (Steve and Jeff Carlson) from the movie “Slap Shot” and ’80s rock band Night Ranger will be on hand. Go, Comets.

UGLY

Volunteer firefighters are generally known as honorable people, which makes it even more surprising — and disappointing — that three would be arrested and charged after several buildings were broken into and vandalized at the Enchanted Forest Water Safari in Old Forge.

Police say two of the firefighters — from Sodus Point, near Rochester — broke into Klondike Kate’s and one other building at the water park Sept. 15, where they damaged an arcade game, defecated on the floor and stole several stuffed animals and a quantity of Dippin’ Dots ice cream. They face various charges; a third man, brother of one of the others, was charged with obstructing governmental administration and disorderly conduct after he after allegedly attempted to throw a cell phone at police during the course of the investigation.

An off-duty state trooper overheard the trio bragging about the stupid stunt and tipped off local police, who later arrested them. The firefighters were in Old Forge for a convention.

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